Shortly before the election, we'll send a poll card to all eligible registered householders to confirm the date of the election, the location of their polling station and the hours that it'll be open. While you don't need your poll card to vote, it's a useful reminder to you, and it may help speed the voting process along if you present it to the staff on duty at your allocated polling station when you go and vote.

Simply turn up and give your name and address to the staff inside the polling station when you arrive. You'll need to show your voter ID to confirm your identity, then collect your ballot paper and vote for your chosen candidate/party, before posting it in the ballot box provided.

If you have a postal vote in place, we'll send you a postal poll card to tell you when your ballot papers are likely to arrive, and what you should do in the unlikely event that you don't receive them.

Anyone can apply to have their ballot papers sent to them by post, instead of going to vote in person at a polling station.

Due to changes being brought in by the Elections Act 2022, application forms will also require a National Insurance Number. You can apply for a postal vote on the GOV.UK website or download a paper application form.

You can choose to vote by post:

• For the maximum period (up to three years)
• For an election held on a particular date
• For all future elections until a certain specified date

If you complete a paper application form, please return to:

Electoral Services
The Guildhall
Frankwell Quay
Shrewsbury
SY3 8HQ

...and this must be received for processing by the Electoral Registration Officer no later than 11 working days before polling day.

Any application made ‘for a maximum period’ will remain in place for a maximum period of three years, when a new application will be required to be submitted.

If you have a disability preventing you from providing a signature on your postal vote application, the Electoral Registration Officer can waive the requirement for you to provide a signature. On receipt of your online or paper application, where you have provided a suitable reason why you are unable to provide a signature, officers will issue the appropriate waiver declaration to be completed and returned.

I've applied for a postal vote - when should it arrive and what should I do if it doesn't?

We usually aim to send out ballot papers by first class post approximately two weeks before polling day. If your pack doesn't arrive, you can apply for a new one, but only between five working days before polling day and 5pm on the day of poll.

Can I vote in person instead of using my postal vote?

No – you must use the postal ballot paper which has been issued to you to cast your vote. If you want to cancel your postal vote, you can do so in writing up to 11 days before polling day.

Can I return my completed postal vote pack by hand?

You can hand deliver your own postal vote, and the postal votes of up to five other people, at a polling station. Campaigners can only hand in their own postal vote, and postal votes for up to five other people that are either close relatives, or someone they provide regular care for. If hand delivered, you must complete a postal vote return form. See briefing note for further information on postal vote handling and secrecy.

Proxies must be properly appointed in advance of an election and there are various types of proxy depending on the type of appointment that the elector wishes to make. You can apply on the GOV.UK website or download the relevant paper application.

One of the benefits of this arrangement is that if the elector suddenly finds that they're able to attend their polling station in person on polling day, they'll still have the opportunity of voting themselves in person, so long as their proxy has not already cast their vote, nor applied to vote on their behalf by post.

What if the proxy can't get to the elector’s polling station?

Proxies can themselves apply to vote by post on behalf of an elector, if for example they live away from the area where the elector is allocated to vote, or if they're postal voters themselves. If they wish to vote by post, they must complete and submit their own postal proxy application form. An application form can be obtained by contacting the Electoral Registration Office.

What are the timescales for proxy appointments?

• The deadline for completed proxy applications is 5pm, no later than six working days before polling day
• If the person being appointed as the proxy wants to vote by post, they must first be appointed by the elector, and then submit a postal proxy application themselves by 5pm, no later than 11 working days before polling day
• If an elector has a medical emergency which occurs after the normal proxy deadline, they may apply for an emergency proxy up to 5pm on polling day. Support will be required from a medical source before such an application can be granted
• If an elector is called away on business after the normal proxy deadline, they may apply for an emergency proxy up to 5pm on polling day. Support will be required from their employer before such an application can be granted
• If an elector’s photo ID they intended to use becomes unavailable after the normal proxy deadline, they may apply for an emergency proxy up to 5pm on polling day

Following changes introduced by the Elections Act 2022, postal voters are now required to reapply for their postal vote every three years, or part of.

All postal voters who made their current application on or before 30 January 2025 are required to reapply for their postal vote by 31 January 2027. If a new application isn't received by this date the electoral registration officer is required by law to cancel the postal vote, and electors will have to vote in a polling station until a new postal vote application is received, or if a proxy is appointed.

To vote in a polling station all electors are now required to bring in an accepted form of photo ID on the day.

We will be contacting all those affected by this change in the coming months explaining how to reapply.  The quickest and easiest way to reapply for a postal vote is online.

How do I reapply for a postal vote?

You can apply for a postal vote quickly and easily online. If you're unable to complete your application online you can complete a paper application form in England.  

I can't sign consistently, what can I do?

If you're unable to provide a signature or a consistent signature but still want to vote by post, you can apply for a postal vote without giving your signature. Apply for a postal vote online. You'll be required to provide a reason for why you're unable to provide a consistent signature.

If you've had help completing the application, the person who helped you will be required to supply their details.

If you prefer to complete a paper application, please contact us by phone or email and request a waiver declaration to be sent to you. The waiver declaration needs to be returned with your postal vote application form.

How do I upload a signature online?

Find out how to upload your signature.

How do I find out what my national insurance number is?

You must prove your identity as part of the application process. Your national insurance number (NINO) will be verified against records held by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). If this identity check fails, you must provide evidence of your identity. Get help to find your national insurance number.

If you're unable to provide your national insurance number, you'll need to provide some documents so that we can confirm your identity.

I no longer wish to vote by post; what do I need to do?

Cancellation of postal votes must be made in writing, and this can be done by email to registration@shropshire.gov.uk or by letter to:

Electoral Services
Shropshire Council
The Guildhall
Frankwell Quay
Shrewsbury
SY3 8HQ

Your correspondence must include your full name and address.

Be aware that if you're no longer a postal voter, you now need to take an accepted form of photo ID with you to vote in a polling station. For more information visit the voter ID page on the Electoral Commission website.

What are my personal identifiers and how they are used?

On your application to vote by post you must provide your date of birth and signature - these are your 'personal identifiers'.

When you vote by post you're required to complete and return a postal voting statement giving your personal identifiers. These are then checked against those you gave on your application to check that they match. If they don't match, your vote won't be counted and your postal vote will be rejected. This is a security measure to prevent someone else from using your vote.

Your personal identifiers are always kept separate from your ballot paper, so no-one knows how you've voted.

Additional information can also be found on the GOV.UK website.